Hidden Gem Places in Europe
Hello, this is Ismail of Europe Diary. Today I am talking about “Hidden Gem Places in Europe.” Let’s start today’s blog!
A Self-Sustaining Retreat in Europe’s Desert
Hidden in a remote location in Europe’s only desert is a glass pod container that requires no public services to function. This pod makes its own water, electricity, and waste treatment, making it possible to exist in places where construction is not possible. It’s completely self-sustaining and can operate for four days without sunlight.
So, I got invited to come stay the night in this really cool, unique place called District Time, which they call a “poder.” I brought my Portuguese friend Ze along for the journey because, let’s be honest, road trips just aren’t as fun alone. At first, we thought it was just gonna be a couple of buds on a road trip, but we had no idea what was actually in store to get to this pod hotel. We would be driving up one of the steepest roads I’ve ever driven on – sorry Ze, who is afraid of heights. This road was basically on top of a cliff with no guardrail above the village of Giraffe. And if you went over the edge, your car would pretty much fall hundreds of feet onto the village below. Definitely not for people who are scared of heights!
The Enigmatic Village of Godaffe
The town of Godaffe is one of the most special places I’ve been to on earth. It’s a hidden gem that you don’t hear about often when traveling in Spain. Evidence of human settlement here goes back to at least the Bronze Age, and this region is home to cave dwellings where people still live to this day. These caves were dug out of the mountainside, taking advantage of the clay earth, which is one of the most eco-friendly building materials. Clay offers natural insulation, temperature control, energy efficiency, soundproofing, and minimal maintenance. It even absorbs humidity, reducing mold and dust mites, and provides protection against many natural disasters.
Once we conquered the road above the village, we made it to the top of this beautiful plateau. It almost felt like we were in the outback of Australia – nothing like I had ever seen in Europe. In the distance, we spotted the reflective glass pod and were blown away by the location. The pictures we had seen beforehand didn’t even come close to doing it justice!
Inside the District Time Pod
The District Time Pod combines self-sustaining technology and a sleek design. It sits atop a plateau overlooking a megalithic geopark and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Solar panels on top provide electricity, and there’s a battery inside that can run for four days without sunlight. And it’s so self-sustainable that it actually burns your… poo! Yes, you heard that right – it burns your waste. More on that in a moment.
Living Area
The interior is compact but has a smart-home feel where everything is small but doesn’t feel too cramped. Every part of the space has storage, which is really convenient. You have glass walls on both sides – one side overlooking a valley with jagged mountains, and on the other, plains with ancient cave dwellings. It’s a very special place, and the drive up here was pretty crazy!
Kitchen and Shower
The kitchen is very well done, with two induction burners – we cooked dinner on these last night. The shower is spacious and super nice.
The Incineration Toilet
One of the most interesting parts of the entire pod is the incineration toilet. This is an incinerator that burns your number one and number two – yes, bodily functions get burned. You place paper bags in the toilet, do your business, press a button, and the waste is incinerated. No waste, no water needed! It’s an interesting setup, and I had never seen anything like it before.
Bedroom and Pool
The bedroom has a comfortable bed, and in the summertime, there’s a pool outside for when it gets really hot. It’s a cool infinity pool, though we didn’t use it this time because it was windy and cooler. The entire pod is powered by AI that lets you control everything from an app on your smartphone. The pod apparently makes its own fresh water, which is a proprietary secret. My guess is it either extracts moisture from the air or collects rainfall, but honestly, I don’t really know!
A Stunning Morning Sunrise
The next morning, to our surprise, we were treated to an absolutely breathtaking sunrise. Moments like these make me feel so lucky to travel and experience amazing places like this. Just three years ago, I was dealing with intense anxiety that made it hard to leave my house. Now, I’ve traveled thousands of miles, crossed oceans, and experienced incredible places. I can’t describe how much it means to me and how grateful I am to be here.
If you have a chance to travel in Spain, I highly recommend going off the beaten path to visit places like this. Just remember not to be an “asshole” – leave it better than you found it!
Invest in District Time
This project demonstrates what this pod can do in harsh climates without any public services. The owner is currently looking to find a new home for it on the mainland of Portugal. If you have land where a tiny house is allowed or you’re interested in a turnkey project, you can contact districtive.com to learn more.
If you want to see more blogs about hidden gems in Europe or beyond, stay with my site Europe Diary, where I post blogs like this every week. You can also find more in-depth information on my Instagram @europediaryforyou.
This is Ismail Siddiky, signing off – hopefully, we’ll see you next time!
